Читать книгу An Accidental Honeymoon - Edward Barron - Страница 3
I
ОглавлениеFessenden put the girl gently down on the flat rock at the edge of the stream.
“There you are, little woman,” he said. “You really ought to be careful how you go splashing about. If you hadn’t screamed in time——”
“Did I scream?”
“Rather! Lucky you did.”
“I didn’t scream because I was afraid. I stumbled and—and I thought I saw an eel in that pool, ready to bite me. Eels do bite.”
“Undoubtedly—horribly!”
He stepped back with a little flourish of the hat in his hand. “I beg your pardon,” he said. “I took you for a child. That dress, you know, and——”
“And my being in paddling.”
“I’m afraid I’ve been rather presumptuous.”
The color in her cheeks deepened a little. “Not at all. It’s my own fault. This afternoon—just for an hour or two—I’ve been dreaming—pretending I wasn’t grown up. It’s so sad to be grown up.”
His eyes sparkled with instant sympathy. “After all, are you so very old?”
She was seventeen or thereabouts, he guessed—a girl lately arrived at womanhood. Her hair was arranged in a bewildering fashion, requiring a ribbon here and there to keep its blonde glory within bounds. Beneath the dark brows and darker lashes blue eyes showed in sudden flashes—like the glint of bayonets from an ambush. The delicately rounded cheeks, just now a little blushing, and the red-lipped mouth, made her look absurdly young.
She had sunk to a seat upon the rock. One foot was doubled under her, and the other, a white vision veiled by the water, dangled uncertainly, as if inclined to seek the retirement possessed by its fellow. His gaze lingered on the curve of throat and shoulder.
“If Phidias were only alive——” he said.
“Phidias?”
“BUT YOU’VE BEEN STANDING IN THE WATER ALL THIS TIME! WHAT AM I THINKING OF!”
“A Greek friend of mine, dead some years. He would have loved to turn you into marble.”
She gave a little crowing laugh, delightful to hear. “I’d much rather stay alive.”
“You are right. Better be a Greek goddess alive, than one dead.”
She laughed again, “You’re—unusual.”
He bowed with another flourish. “Then, so are you.”
Their eyes met frankly. “Thank you for coming to my rescue,” she said. “But you’ve been standing in the water all this time! What am I thinking of! Come up here.”
She sprang to her feet, as if to make room for him upon the rock, but sank back quickly. He gave her a scrutinizing glance.
“What was that I heard?”
“I asked you to get out of that horrid water. It must be frightfully cold.”
He shook an admonitory finger. “Bravely done, but you can’t fool me so easily. I heard a moan, and—and I won’t remark that you’re crying.”
“You’d—better not.”
“You hurt yourself when you stumbled.” His firm hand was on her shoulder.
“No—n-o. Well, even if I did turn my ankle, I’m not crying. It’s very tactless of you to notice.”
He tried to catch a glimpse of the slim leg through the dancing water. It swung back in vigorous embarrassment.
“The other ankle, then?”
“Ye-es.”
“I’m awfully sorry. Can’t I do something?”
“I think I’ll go home.”
“But you can’t walk.”
“I think so. Isn’t this just too tiresome? I will walk.”
She rose to her feet at the word, but, once there, gave a cry, and stood tottering. His arm caught her about the waist.
“Where do you live? Near here anywhere?”
“Oh, yes; just up the lane. But it might as well be ten miles.” Her brave laugh was half a sob.
“Not a bit of it! Hold tight.”
She flushed and gave an astonished wriggle as she found herself lifted and borne up the lane.
“Don’t squirm so, child,” he ordered.
“You’re carrying me!”
“Oh, no! We’re playing lawn-tennis.”
“Goodness! You fairly grabbed me.”
“Perhaps I ought to have asked your permission, but if I had you might have refused it.”
She laughed. “I think I should.”
“It’s too late now,” he said contentedly. “Does the foot hurt?”
“Not much, thank you—thank you, Mr.——”
He was obdurately silent. She tried again.
“Thank you, Mr. ——. Please, what’s your name?”
“ ‘Puddin’ Tame,’ ” he laughed.
“ ‘Where do you live?’ ” she chanted delightedly.
“ ‘Down the lane.’ No, you live down the lane.”
“It isn’t far now. Are you tired?”
“Oh, no! I’m doing very well, thank you.”
“Perhaps you’d better rest.”
“By no means. I hope you live over the hills and far away.”
“You aren’t bashful, are you, Mr. Puddin’ Tame?”
“H’m.” He peered down at the injured ankle. “How’s the foot?”
“A little—cold.”
“I’m afraid the wrench has interfered with the circulation. Poor child!”
“Really, it doesn’t hurt—not much.”
“I see you were born to be a heroine.”
“And you’re a ‘knight comes riding by, riding by, riding by’——”
“ ‘So early in the morning,’ ” he finished. “If the knight were sure you thought so”—his eyes were on her cheek—“he might claim a knight’s reward.”
She fell abruptly silent.
The Maryland spring was well advanced, and the path along which they moved was carpeted with flowers. The blue bells of the wild myrtle swung almost at their feet. Scarlet runners rioted over the low stone wall at their hand. The sycamores and oaks were clothed in tenderest green. Beyond the left-hand wall, rows of peach-trees marched away, flaunting banners of pink and white.
Fessenden heard the tinkle of the brook, winding in the shadow of overhanging banks. Sights and sounds lulled him. He felt himself in harmony with the quiet mood of the girl in his arms.
Truly this was an unexpected adventure! His eyes rested upon the piquant face so near his own. It possessed a refinement of outline that was belied by the humble fashion of her gown and by the position in which he had surprised her. The precocious daughter of a farmer, perhaps, or at best the neglected child of one of the war-ruined “first families of the South.”
He found himself speculating upon the sort of house he was likely to discover at the end of the lane—perhaps a crumbling colonial mansion, equipped with a Confederate colonel and a faithful former slave or two.
He smiled unconsciously at the red mouth, and was somewhat disconcerted to find the blue eyes watching him.
“Were you making fun of me, Mr. Puddin’ Tame?”
“Word of honor, no! I was smiling to be in harmony with the day, I fancy.”
“Maryland is lovely. You’re a Northern man, aren’t you?”
“I freely admit it. But I’m on my way to a house-party at Sandywood.”
“Sandywood?”
“Yes. You know it, of course?”
“Of course. It’s just over the hill from the Landis house—our house. Sandywood is the old Cary place.”
“I don’t know. I’m to visit a family named Cresap.”
“It’s the same place. The Cresaps are only occupying it for a while.”
“Then you know Mrs. Cresap?”
“Hum-m. Aunty Landis knows her, but I suppose she doesn’t know us—not in the way you mean. I live with Aunt Katey Landis at White Cottage. Uncle Bob Landis supplies Sandywood with eggs and butter and milk.”
“Oh, I see.”
“You’ve never been on the Eastern Shore before?”
“Never. But I’ve learned to like it already. To rescue a girl from man-eating eels, and——”
“Girls don’t go in wading every day, even on the Eastern Shore.”
“If they did, I’d walk over from the railroad station straight through the year.”
“From Sandywood Station?”
“Yes. I was delayed in Baltimore on account of meeting a friend there, so there wasn’t any one at the station to meet me. I’m a good walker, and——”
“And the fairies led you down the wood-road in time to save disobedient me.”
“Disobedient?”
She nodded. “Aunty Landis told me that I mustn’t go in wading. She said it was not becoming—that it was very improper.”
“How unreasonable!”
“That’s what I thought. But I wish now I’d obeyed her.”
“But that would have meant that the poor knight would have ridden by without an excuse for knowing you.”
“Alas! Well, your task is nearly done. We must be near White Cottage.”
“Don’t say that.”
She glanced about, and then gave a wriggle so violent that she almost slipped from his arms.
“Put me down!”
“What’s the matter?”
“We’re nearer than I thought. There’s the big oak. The lane comes right up to the back door. The house is on the main road, you know. Put me down!”
“But why shouldn’t I carry you into the house?”
“Because—oh, because Aunty Landis would be terribly frightened! She’d think something dreadful had happened to me. Please put me down. I can limp along, if you’ll let me use your arm.”
He allowed her to slip slowly to the ground. “There you are, then; but be careful.”
A sigh of relief escaped her as she tried her weight gingerly on the injured foot.
“It’s ever so much better. I won’t even have to hop.” Her face was upturned earnestly. “Thank you very much, Mr. Puddin’ Tame. You’ve been very kind.”
“You’re very welcome,” he returned, and, seized by a sudden paternal tenderness, he stooped and kissed the red-lipped mouth.
She stepped back with a sharp “Oh!” mingled of anger and the pain of her twisted ankle. “Oh! Why did you do that? We were having such fun, and—and now you’ve spoiled the whole afternoon. What a—a perfectly silly thing to do!”
He quailed before the bayonets flashing in the blue eyes.
“I was carried away,” he said humbly.
“I hate you!”
“No, no. Don’t—please don’t do that. Of course I was wrong—unpardonably wrong, I suppose—but you looked so young, and—well, so adorable, that I—— Oh, please don’t hate me!”
His gloom was so profound that, in spite of herself, she felt her wrath begin to melt.
“If you’re sure you’re very sorry——”
“I’m in the dust,” he evaded.
“Then—all right.” She smiled a little, but with caution—he should not be allowed to think himself too easily restored to favor. “I frightened you, didn’t I? And you ought to have been frightened. But to show you I trust you now, I’ll use your arm as a crutch. Come on. Oh, what a delicious sight for poor Aunty Landis!”
Truly enough, the spectacle brought to her feet a motherly-looking woman who had been knitting on the porch of White Cottage.
“Good gracious, child! What’s the matter?” She fluttered down the steps to meet the bedraggled adventurers. “Have you hurt yourself, dearie? Oh, dear, dear! What is it? Have you broken your leg?”
“I’m all right, Aunty. Don’t worry. My ankle might be turned a little, that’s all. This gentleman has been very kind to me, and helped me home.”
The woman made Fessenden a spasmodic bow. “I’m sure we’re much obliged to you, sir. Is it your ankle, dearie? I told you not to go in wading. The idea of such a thing, and you a young lady!”
“Now, Aunty, please don’t scold me—not until my foot’s fixed, at any rate.”
Although the girl’s lips quivered warningly, Fessenden could have sworn her eyes laughed slyly. But the older woman’s vexation was effectually dissolved by the other’s pitiful tone.
“There, there! You poor silly baby! Come right in, and I’ll put your foot in hot water and mustard. That’ll take the soreness out.” She passed her arm lovingly about the girl’s slender shoulders and was leading her away without more ado. The girl hung back.
“Aunty, I haven’t thanked him—half.”
“I’m sure the gentleman’s been very good,” said Mrs. Landis, “but he knows your foot ought to be soaked in hot water just as soon as can be. There won’t be any too much time to do it before supper, any way.”
“By all means,” agreed Fessenden. “I’m very glad if I’ve been of service.” Mischief awoke in his glance. “I’ve had ample reward for anything I’ve been able to do.”
The blood crept into the girl’s cheeks, but she was not afraid to meet his eyes.
“Good-by,” he said with evident reluctance. “I hope your ankle will be well very soon.” The laughing imps in her eyes suddenly emboldened him. “May I come to-morrow evening to see how you’re getting on?”
“Of course—if you like. We’re through supper by half-past seven, and——”
“Supper?” he returned, and paused so pointedly that the girl laughed outright.
HE WAVED HIS HAT FROM THE GATE
“O-oh! Would you care to come to supper with us, really?”
“Don’t ask me unless you’re in earnest.”
“Will you come, then, at half-past six?”
“I’ll come. Thank you—immensely. Good-night. Good-night, Mrs. Landis.”
“Good-night, good-night, Mr. Puddin’ Tame,” called the girl as she hobbled up the steps, supported on the older woman’s arm.
He waved his hat from the gate, and the girl blew him a smiling kiss—to the very evident embarrassment of Aunty Landis.
